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The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:8
Hollow with boards shalt thou make it. See the comment on Exodus 27:1. The term here used for" boards," (which is different from that in Exodus 26:15-29) implies strength and solidity. As it was showed thee in the mount…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 27:9-19
The tabernacle was enclosed in a court, about sixty yards long and thirty broad, formed by curtains hung upon brazen pillars, fixed in brazen sockets. Within this enclosure the priests and Levites offered the sacrifices…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 27:9-19
Before the tabernacle there was to be a court or yard, enclosed with hangings of the finest linen that was used for tents. This court, according to the common computation of cubits, was fifty yards long, and twenty-five…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:9-18
The Court of the Tabernacle. I. THE USE OF THE COURT. The court was primarily a precinct inclosing the sacred structure, and preserving it from contact with the roughnesses of the rude world without. It formed a sort of…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:9
Thou shalt make the court. Rather, "a court." For the south side southward. Rather," For the south side, upon the right." Compare the comment on Exodus 26:18. Hangings. The word used is a rare one in this sense, quite d…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:9-18
EXPOSITION THE COURT BEFORE THE TABERNACLE. The description of the altar is (as already observed) naturally followed by that of the court which was to contain it, and in which it was to be the most conspicuous object. T…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:10
And the twenty pillars thereof, etc. Literally, "And its pillars, twenty (in number), and their sockets, twenty (in number, shall be) of bronze." The hooks of the pillars are loops whereto the curtains were to be attach…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:11
The north side of the court is to be exactly similar to the south in all respects.
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:12
The west side is also to be similar, except that it is to be half the length, fifty cubits—and, therefore, requires only half the number of pillars and sockets.
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:13
The breadth of the court on the east side eastward. Rather, "in front toward the east." The Rabbinical tradition was that Adam found himself on his creation fronting towards the east, and had consequently the south on h…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:14
The hangings of one side. Literally, "of one shoulder." The two extreme parts of the east side, between the entrance (Exodus 27:16) and the corners are thus named. They were to extend on either side a distance of fiftee…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:16
For the gate. The word used is the common one for "gate;" but here it rather signifies "entrance." Strictly speaking, there was no "gate;" the worshippers entered by drawing aside the curtain. This was a hanging of simi…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:17
Filleted with silver. Rather, "joined by silver rods." See the comment on Exodus 27:10. They were also to have their capitals overlaid with silver (Exodus 38:17).
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:18
The length and the breadth of the court had been already implied in what had been said of the external screen-work, or "hangings" (Exodus 27:9 and Exodus 27:12). What this verse adds is the height of the pillars, which…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:19
The value is God's sight of what is common and homely. God does not despise anything that he has made. "His mercy is over all his works" (Psalms 145:9). Each of them has its fit and proper place. Each one of them is nee…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:19
EXPOSITION THE VESSELS OF THE TABERNACLE. There were many "vessels of the tabernacle" which have not hitherto been mentioned, as the great laver in the court (Exodus 30:18; Exodus 40:30) with the basins for washing whic…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:19
All the pins thereof. The "pins" of the tabernacle are undoubtedly the pegs or tent-pins, whereby the tent-cloth wherewith it was covered was extended and kept taut. There were also probably similar pegs or pins for cor…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 27:20-21
The pure oil signified the gifts and graces of the Spirit, which all believers receive from Christ, the good Olive, and without which our light cannot shine before men. The priests were to light the lamps, and tend them…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 27:20-21
We read of the candlestick in the twenty-fifth chapter; here is an order given for the keeping of the lamps constantly burning in it, else it was useless; in every candlestick there should be a burning and shining light…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:20-21
EXPOSITION THE OIL FOR THE LAMP. It has been observed that this paragraph is somewhat out of place. It would more appro priately, according to human ideas, have terminated Exodus 25:1-40. But "God's ways are not as man'…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:20
Thou shalt command. Compare Exodus 25:6, where the general command had been given. Here certain additions are made as to the quality of the oil which was to be brought. The oil was to be pure olive oil beaten that is to…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:21
The tabernacle of the congregation. Rather, "the tent of meeting"—the tent where God would meet the earthly ruler of the people (Exodus 25:22), and give him commands and directions—not the place of meeting for the peopl…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 28:1-5
Hitherto the heads of families were the priests, and offered sacrifices; but now this office was confined to the family of Aaron only; and so continued till the gospel dispensation. The holy garments not only distinguis…
The Priests' Attire. (b. c. 1491.)
THE PRIESTS' ATTIRE. (B. C. 1491.) We have here, I. The priests nominated: Aaron and his sons, Exodus 28:1. Hitherto every master of a family was priest to his own family, and offered, as he saw cause, upon altars of ea…